How to Cook Dried Lentils | Simple Cooking Techniques

One of the cheapest, most long lasting ingredients you can find in the grocery store are lentils.

So, it makes sense to know how to cook these to perfection in case that's all you got left in the pantry.

Below, you'll find the simple 1,2,3, on making dried lentils. Of all the beans, they take the least amount of time, ready in just 25 minutes or so- with no soaking required.

After you make them, you can eat them in tacos, soup, or a salad.

I used these lentils for a Greek Island Lentil Salad.

I hope you add this simple cooking technique to your repertoire so you can always turn this cheap ingredient into a delicious and nutritious meal.

People who live long eat ½ to 1 cup of cooked legumes, like these lentils, a day.

So, get eating if you want to live to 100!

1 cup will serve 3-4 people. Rinse them and remove any stones if you find them. Usually, there aren't any, but its good to check. 

In a small saucepan with a lid, add water to cover lentils by 1 inch. Some will float, thats okay. Add a bay leaf if you like. Bring to the boil. Then, cover with a lid, lower heat to simmer and cook 25-30 minutes. Add water if it gets dry. 

Taste test. The only way to know if they are cooked is to taste them. They should easily smash in between your fingers. Turn off heat when done and let sit to cool.


Your lentils are ready. They will keep 1 week at least in the fridge.

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Greek Island Lentil Salad. A tasty Wellness Wednesday with #childrenshospitalofphiladelphia ! . Thank you @tmimi95 and @minal_tolani for another wonderful cooking session with you and your staff. . This was a super easy dish with lentils from the Greek Island Ikaria from the Blue Zones, where people live long, healthy lives. One of the keys to their health and vitality is eating at least a 95% plant-based diet. Enjoy this recipe inspired by this beautiful place. You will feel light, energized and ready to go after eating it! . Save this recipe as it’s a perfect cold salad for summer. 🌞 GREEK ISLAND LENTIL SALAD . Serves 4-5 . Ingredients : 1 cup dried lentils 1 bay leaf 1 clove garlic, minced ½ white onion, chopped ½ carrot, grated 1 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Red wine vinegar Salad greens Feta (optional) Mint (optional) . Directions: Cook lentils by placing in pot with lid. Cover with water to cover lentils by an inch of water. Add bay leaf. Bring to boil, then lower, put lid on and simmer 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender to your liking. . Then, strain and reserve cooking liquid. . In a sauté pan, add oil, lentils, onions, garlic, and carrot. Cook 5-10 minutes or until onion is soft. Add a spoon or two of cooking liquid if it gets dry in pan. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool a little. Then serve lentils over greens. Top with a splash of red wine vinegar, olive oil, feta and chopped mint if using. . @bluezones #bluezones #bluezonesliving #bluezoneschef #bluezoneskitchen #lentils #plantbased #greece #greekfood #ikariaisland #greece_travel #greeksalad #greekfoodporn #vegetarianrecipes #legumes #longevity #longevitydiet #mint #instarecipes #instadelicious #eatclean

A post shared by Chef Joanna’s Kitchen (@chefjoannas) on Jun 17, 2020 at 3:26pm PDT

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